Lakeshore Christian Camping 

Executive Summary

The Lakeshore Christian Camping (LCC) has presented an offer to the Presbytery of Chicago (POC) to purchase the Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, Michigan.  Although the Camp continues to be a viable operation, the POC is considering divesting itself of the Camp for financial and operational reasons.  Because we believe that the loss of the camping ministry would be significant and non recoverable, a group of Presbyterians from Churches within the POC has formed the LCC as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation in Michigan to acquire the assets, develop the camp facilities, continue the development of the camping ministry, and protect the natural resources of the Lake Michigan shoreline.  Members of the Board of Directors of LCC, and members of the LCC Board of Advisors, are members, elders and pastors in Churches in the POC and have extensive business and professional experience.  Many have had long term involvement in operations of the POC and the Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, Michigan.

The current camp operation is primarily a summer facility, providing family, retreat, and youth activities during the summer months.  At the present time, several of the cabins are winterized to provide three-season use, but over 80% of the revenue is generated during the months of June, July, and August.  The LCC plan includes a significant capital expenditure in the early years to winterize cabins and develop four-season facilities to appeal to a broader group of users, including Scouts, senior groups, and other Church groups from the Indiana and Michigan service areas.  It is the central mission of LCC to preserve the ministry of the Camps in Saugatuck and continue the current relationships and programs with the member Churches of the POC.

The Presbyterian Camps are currently a break-even operation, and the LCC Business Plan includes the addition of selected staff to compensate for the loss of the POC support as well as the development of a more robust marketing activity.  We expect the new camp operations to be breakeven in year three.

          LCC proposes to borrow in the form of a bridge loan to be used for three major purposes:

·        Acquisition cost to the POC

·        Major capital improvements

·        Working capital to carry the operations through the ramp up period of completing the capital improvements.

The LCC proposes to repay the bridge loan through a loan against the property.  We anticipate a favorable interest rate on the bridge loan and market rate on the longer-term financing.  Our Business Plan anticipates the repayment of the longer-term financing at the end of year six.  Additional capital projects will be undertaken through additional operating revenue or a second major capital campaign.

The core of the LCC Business Plan consists of several major funding themes.  These will be brought into operation throughout the eight year planning horizon.  They are, in summary:

·        Capital Renovations, including the winterizing of the Lakefront cabins and the installation of modern utilities

·        Expanded Programming, appealing not only to current users but additional groups such as Scouting and seniors

·        Capital Campaign will include a geographical area of: Chicago, Western Michigan and Indiana.

·        Grant and Foundation sources

·        Environmental Conservancy

·        Expanded utilization of volunteers to assist in several areas

·        Major Marketing emphasis

The LCC is excited about the prospect of developing the potential of the camps in Saugatuck, and we believe that our Business Plan represents the only viable prospect for saving this historic camping ministry.